crossing the firestone lot after work
i spot a mother trailed by two daughters
marching single file up burnside,
the mother relaying a torch of to go coffee
respectfully followed by her red headed daughters,
each one bearing before them
a pink box of donuts. i smile,
and notice how the sidewalk has
recently been sprinkled with
crispy brown hands, curled
fingers stiffened in mid-clasp,
fallen because they have caught
all the light they could.
dramatic sky alternates between
shade & shine as i sit down
on a bench beneath a tent of trees,
two tank topped young men,
pause before the grand elephant,
one considering the climb
while the other patiently observes,
phone held to chest, his heart
poised to capture his triumphant ascent
as a cryptic old friend, hardly looking back,
barely saying a word, rides by on his bike,
as i watch the young man
surrenders too easily to the smooth
flank of this most magnificent elephant
and walk away with his friend. burnside
a glinting funnel of cars. in between
the trees i can see the clouds
thicken above me, deepening the shade.
i close the book and continue toward home.
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